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“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Colgate. I received a product sample for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

The holiday season is a joyful time, but it can also be incredibly stressful. As a busy working mom I know how fast I can go from feeling like my day is a success to totally stressed out. Sometimes you just need to take a mom time out, say no, and do something totally out of the norm, like go see a movie by yourself or meet a friend after work for a glass of wine.

In my review video below I share a few holiday stress buster tips for busy moms to take a time out this holiday season. Moms are so busy taking care of everyone else and everything during the holidays, it’s so important to take a deep breath, relax, and just take time out for you.

Here are a few of my tips for taking time out for YOU:

Outsource When You Can (hire a cleaning service or pay a neighborhood teenager to wrap your Christmas presents)

Say No (You don’t have to attend every holiday party you’re invited to or volunteer for every school function)

Catch an afternoon matinee by yourself and indulge in some buttered popcorn or candy without sharing with anyone

Browse a local bookstore or the shelves of your local library

Trade babysitting services with a mom friend after school so you can take a mom break and head to a local coffee shop for an impromptu hot beverage

Get a manicure or pedicure at a local salon and pick a fun winter shade

Go for a walk at lunch, take a yoga class, or walk your dog – exercise is always beneficial and helps boost your mood naturally

Unplug and disconnect from social media, email, and your phone for the evening

Thanks to Walgreens Saturdates, which I blogged about last month, I can pick up most all of my holiday needs, from greeting cards to gift cards and from stocking stuffers to after school snacks! Be sure to check your local Walgreens weekly specials and you may catch a BOGO on the Colgate Enamel Health products. As I mentioned in my video above, I really love the whitening formula and taking care of me in baby steps is just one way I can destress during the holidays.

Whether you’re traveling during this busy holiday season, or staying close to home, you’ll be making lots of memories, and taking lots of pictures! Make sure your smile is as white and bright as it can be and check out Colgate Enamel Health’s whitening formula.

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Colgate. I received a product sample for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

I am a frequent Walgreens shopper, are you? Not only are there two Walgreens stores conveniently located near my house and my girls’ elementary and middle schools, but there is one on my way to work. It’s my go-to store for toiletries, cosmetics, even photo developing. I’m always striving to consolidate my errands, especially on my lunch break or after work, so Walgreens is convenient and I also love their Balance Rewards card savings program.

I used a Walgreens gift card Influence Central sent me to purchase the Colgate Enamel Health toothpaste and I’ve been using the Colgate Enamel Health Toothpaste in the whitening formula and love it so far! I’m all about dental products that whiten and brighten my smile. Now that I’m in my mid 40s I know that one key to looking younger, especially in photos, is having whiter teeth. I tend to drink a lot of coffee (not to mention red wine), so my smile is something I’m aware of and want to improve. A lot of whitening products for teeth can seem extremely harsh and make your teeth super sensitive to heat or cold, but this new toothpaste helps strengthen your teeth with natural calcium.

Although I’m a regular Walgreens customer, I haven’t attended a Saturdate event yet and I was excited to learn about this special promotional series. I frequently purchase cosmetic and beauty products at Walgreens and have always found the beauty counter sales associates to be extremely helpful.

Will you be attending this weekend’s Saturdate event? And stay tuned as I’ll be following up with a second post reviewing in more detail the new Colgate Enamel Health Toothpaste!

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating

Earlier this month I mentioned in a post that we were finally in the back-to-school groove. Being a mom to two tween girls who tend to take up their fair share of bathroom space and time when getting ready in the mornings, it’s imperative that we have a routine morning routine and that includes good oral health habits.

When I was a kid we didn’t have oral rinse products, except for fairly medicinal Listerine and plain jane toothpaste. I am loving the kid friendly Smart Rinse from Listerine! My 9-year-old has been using the LISTERINE Barbie theme Smart Rinse and it’s now part of her oral health regimen Not only is it packaged in a fun and inviting way that is perfect for little girls, but the taste (so she tells me) is clean and fresh. Using it is now part of her morning and evening routine. And did I mention it’s PINK? I’m really loving the not so pink but awesome LISTERINE Healthy White Sodium Fluroide Anticavity Mouth Rinse. I drink a lot of coffee and find that I need a little extra whitening power as part of my oral health regimen.

Another product I’m really loving is the cool mint dental floss. It has a great refreshing taste that is the finishing touch to my evening oral health routine. I love the way it feels as well. It sounds a little silly to get excited about dental floss but I have a couple of fillings that are very tough to clean around and it’s difficult to find a good floss that will easily glide around them.

I just scheduled my girls’ twice annual dental cleanings and checkups and I can’t wait to see what their dentist says about their teeth!

Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for LISTERINE. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating

We’re back in the full swing of school now and, frankly, I embrace the familiarity and routine that a regular school schedule provides. We’re on fall break this week and it’s served as a reminder to schedule all of our fall wellness appointments before the holidays are here. Both my girls are both due for their 6-month dental care visits. Now that they are in 4th and 7th grade I don’t have to remind them to brush their teeth, but I do have to remind them to floss and to use dental rinse. In fact, even at my age I still need to focus more on the “extracurricular” oral care activities that really result in healthy teeth, from flossing to using a dental rinse.

LISTERINE sent us several great products to try out. My 9-year-old was especially excited to try out the LISTERINE Barbie theme Smart Rinse, and I really look forward to using the LISTERINE Healthy White Sodium Fluroide Anticavity Mouth Rinse. Let’s face it, brushing alone is not enough!

Here are details on some of the additional products we’re testing:

1. LISTERINE® HEALTHY WHITE™ Sodium Fluoride AntiCavity Mouth Rinse

I’ve never tried this product before, but I love gentle tooth whitening products as well as products that serve dual purpose. I’ve just started using this product and have made it part of my evening routine. Really love how fresh and clean it makes my mouth feel, not to mention the gentle mint flavor that’s not too overpowering.

Product Details:

Peroxide-free for a gentler whitening experience

Removes and prevents tough stains

Restores enamel

Safely whitens

Formulated to whiten without irritation

Kills bad breath germs

Prevents cavities

Helps prevent tooth decay

2. LISTERINE Gentle Gum Care Floss

I have a very small mouth and it can sometimes be difficult to floss my back teeth well. I love that this floss is “springy” and gentle.

Product Details:

Soft, springy and resilient dental floss removes plaque effectively.

Cushioned design for sensitive gums

Gentle cleaning at the gum-line

Mint flavored

3. LISTERINE® POCKETPAKS®

These are fantastic and I was already familiar with them. I work for a marketing agency and they are just the right size to toss into my purse or keep in my desk drawer. They are perfect to refresh your mouth after your morning coffee, before a client meeting, or after lunch. LISTERINE POCKETPAKS are available in several flavors…I love Cool Mint.

Good parenting and routine go hand in hand. The Listerine YouTube Channel features a fun America’s Healthiest Heroes channel that highlights parents who encourage positive and healthy habits in their home. Here’s a fun video from actor and fellow parent of two daughters Ian Ziering (of Beverly Hills 90210 fame) showcasing parents who have a humorous take on encouraging their kids to do their chores.

For a complete list of all retailers that carry LISTERINE products, check out the guide on the LISTERINE website.

Instilling good oral care habits while the kids are young is important and you’re also never too old to introduce new products into your oral care routine.

It’s hard to believe that school starts for my girls in just a couple of weeks. We’ve had a fantastic summer and one thing we always look forward to every summer vacation is heading to one of our local Middle Tennessee lakes. We’re so lucky to live driving range to three: Old Hickory Lake, Center Hill Lake, and Percy Priest lake.

My husband just took our girls canoeing and tubing on the Harpeth River last week but we’re ready for bigger waters! Growing up my dad always had a boat and I’ve been on ski boats, house boats, catamarans, and more. Boating is just one of those recreational activities that generations can enjoy and share, whether you’re cruising on a houseboat and camping out on the water, water skiing, or fishing. There’s just something about the water and boat lifestyle that is invigorating and just plain fun. Both my husband and I work in technology fields and being out on the water we feel super connected to nature, and not our phones or email!

91 percent of Americans believe there are benefits for children to be on the water, including: getting outdoors; appreciating nature; spending quality time with family; and disconnecting from technology, according to data from Discover Boating/Kelton Research.

A friend as invited us to visit his lake house and we’ll be heading there the end of August. We always love enjoying unplugging and taking his boat out — I love relaxing on the water but our girls are all about tubing!

Discover Boating is a great online resource, whether you’re thinking about buying a boat, considering renting one for Labor Day weekend, or you’ve been a boat owner for years. Discover Boating has great resources and educational tools for boaters of all levels:

Have you heard of country music star Jake Owen? He’s a lifelong boater and angler. To learn more about how he lives (and loves) the boating lifestyle, plus how it is the inspiration behind his feel-good vibe music, you won’t want to miss this Discover Boating interview.

Have you been boating this summer with your family? What’s your favorite water sport?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Shire. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

The relationship that exists between mothers and daughters is unlike any other. It has many unique moments, memories, and yes, even challenges along the way. The relationship dynamic can be even trickier when your daughter is in those tween-age years. What can be even more difficult is when some people dismiss certain behaviors as “typical tween girl behavior” when those behaviors can be symptoms of something more serious. Research suggests that girls are more likely than boys to report having mostly inattentive Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Since inattentive symptoms can be less noticeable than hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, it is important that moms know what to look for.

I’m proud to be joining forces with Shire, CHADD and actress and mother of four Holly Robinson Peete to announce the launch of keep momming, a new public service initiative geared towards the moms of tween girls to raise awareness of ADHD.

The campaign is anchored within a new digital hub, KeepMomming.com, where youll find tips, tools and other go-to resources for moms, including a checklist to help recognize the symptoms of ADHD  inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity  and then encourages moms to talk to their daughters doctor. The keep momming initiative can help moms learn about ADHD and provide ideas on how to spark a conversation and stay connected with their tween.

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for BGCA Cyber Safe Initiative. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”Being a mom to a middle schooler means I’m keenly aware of the dangers that can lurk online. When I was my daughter’s age my mom only had to worry about me talking on the phone (corded no less!) too much. Now I have to monitor my daughter’s screen time on her iPhone and discuss with her online etiquette with regard to social media.

Did you know that Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a fantastic online resource to educate and inform teens on cyber safety issues? BGCA’s Cyber Safe Futures annual initiative in support of Internet Safety Awareness month in Junes has a fun new twist this year that makes it even more relevant to teens. Each week the website spotlights a teen CyberTribe Q&A in partnership with Sprint. This four-member team features teens from various parts of the country ready to respond to questions about growing up as a teen in the digital age.

The BGCA CyberTribe is the perfect go to team to ask questions regarding cyberbullying, online privacy, social media, and other relevant issues plugged-in teens grapple with. And, let’s face it, teens are going to be much more comfortable approaching other teens for guidance than adults, particularly their parents! Everyone (parent or teen) who submits a question to the CyberTribe via the simple online form is entered into a raffle to win either an iPad and $500 to the Club of your choice. So, go ahead and submit your question about #cybersafety!

In addition to peer resources for teens, the website features a great resources section on subjects such as cyberbullying, mobile technologies, social networks and online privacy. Even if you don’t yet have a teen, it’s a fantastic go to website for topics you’ll need to brush up on because before you know it, your child will be digital savvy.

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Acuvue. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

Now that school is out for summer break we have already spent several hours logging in some pool time. Although I am very diligent about making sure we all apply sunscreen regularly, I’m not always great at remembering that sun exposure to your eyes can be a cumulative danger over the years.

I’ve been wearing ACUVUE brand contact lenses for years and for several years. I’ve partnered up with ACUVUE to help spread the word about their UV blocking contact lenses.

A number of studies have shown that the effects of UV radiation are mostly cumulative and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life, including cataracts, a leading cause of reduced vision in the United States. While UV-blocking contact lenses are beneficial in helping to protect against harmful UV rays entering into the eye, long-term clinical studies have not been done to show that they directly reduce the risk of any specific eye disease or condition. Still, any proactive steps I can take to protect my eyes and my family’s eyes is important to me.

Did you know that children and teens are at risk of greater UV exposure than any other age group? Children have larger pupils (allowing more light into their eyes), clearer lenses, and typically spend more time outdoors without eye protection and for longer periods of time than most adults. It is estimated that a significant amount of lifetime exposure to UV rays may occur by age 18 and that children’s annual dose of UV radiation is three times that of adults.

When it comes to UV exposure, however, it’s not just direct sunlight that does damage. Reflected ultraviolet (UV) rays from surfaces such as grass, soil, dry sand, water, and snow can also be harmful. Today at the pool my older daughter forgot her sunglasses and kept asking to borrow mine. The reflected sun off the water can be brutal! UV protection also is important on a cloudy day as the sun’s rays can pass through thin clouds, exposing your eyes to harmful UV radiation. Just as you can still get sunburned on an overcast day, your eyes can still be exposed to UV rays.

I always wear sunglasses at the pool or when outdoors on a sunny day, especially when driving. While sunglasses are definitely a good idea when it comes to eye protection, not all sunglasses are created equal. Choose sunglasses that limit transmission to no more than 1 percent UVB and 1 percent UVA rays. Sometimes the information on the glasses will say they block at least 99 percent of the UV rays.

Here are three things to look for when buying sunglasses:

Lenses large enough to completely cover the eye and prevent as much light as possible from entering through the edges of the glasses. Wrap-around sunglasses are best.

Darker lenses, particularly if you are more light sensitive.

Gray lenses. They provide the least color distortion, but not any better protection than other colored lenses. While most sunglasses can help block UV rays from entering through the lenses, most frame styles do not prevent rays from reaching the sides, top and bottom of the glasses

UV blocking contact lenses can provide an important level of additional protection from UV exposure. Not all contact lenses offer UV protection, and, of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels. ACUVUE® is the only major brand of contact lenses which blocks approximately 97%of UV-B and 81% of UV-A rays as standard across the entire range of its products.*

Some of my fondest memories from childhood involve boating with my family. My dad always had a boat, and whether it was a ski boat, a houseboat, or a sailboat, I grew up loving the water. I learned to navigate a boat long before I learned to drive a car! We spent time on the lake and no trip to the Florida Panhandle was complete without boat time. Today my family loves spending time on the water and although we are not near the beach, we’re lucky to live close to several beautiful lakes here in Middle Tennessee.

I am so excited to announce that I am a Ambassador for Discover Boating! I’ll be sharing information from their website this summer as well as some of my summer boating memories.

Americans are taking to the water in record numbers: Of the 241.9 million adults in the US in 2013, 36.6%, or 88.5 million, participated in recreational boating at least once during 2013 – one of the highest percentages on record. If you have never been boating, now is a great time to discover the joy of spending time on the water.

Boating in the U.S. is primarily a middle class past time. You don’t have to own a yacht to enjoy spending time on the water, skiing, fishing, or just cruising the water! Seventy-one percent of U.S. boat owners have an annual household income less than $100,000 and 95 percent of boats in the U.S. are less than 26 feet—small boats taken by trailer to local bodies of water.

Boating is also a fantastic way to unplug and spend time with friends and family enjoying the beauty of nature. 91 percent of Americans believe there are benefits for children to be on the water, including: getting outdoors; appreciating nature; spending quality time with family; and disconnecting from technology.

My older daughter, Miss C, enjoying an afternoon on the lake a couple of summers ago.

If you’ve ever thought about buying a boat for your family, DiscoverBoating.com is a fantastic resource. Check it out! Whether you need information on buying your first boat or you’re looking for an area marina or wanting information on boat safety, it’s a fantastic website. You’ll also want to follow DiscoverBoating on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for updates and fun contests.

Speaking of contests, the Discover Boating Facebook page will be launching a photo contest this month in which fans can submit their best July 4th boating pictures.

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Figleaves.com. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

The end of the school year has completely slipped up on me. I can’t believe we’re just days away from summer break!

The pool at my sister’s apartment complex is already open and my 6th grader has already been invited to a sleepover slash pool party Friday night. It’s officially summer time in the South ya’ll.

May in Nashville is either hotter than blazes or really chilly and I’m still admittedly trying to lose my winter holiday weight. Usually Memorial Day weekend is my cue to start getting more active and spending more time outdoors every weekend. We love to spend as much time poolside as possible.

I’m a big fan of bathing suits with lots of support and I am really pleased with my new one-piece suit from FigLeaves.com. I also love that they offer swimsuit separates with tops in bra cup sizes ranging from AA to GG. There’s nothing more frustrating (to me) than buying a new bikini or tankini that fits as well as the bottom as it does the top so I’m a huge fan of separate pieces. Women’s bodies don’t come in cookie cutter designs and styles that may have fit me well in my 20s don’t necessarily offer enough coverage now that I’m in my 40s. I don’t want to be constantly tugging on my swimsuit and adjusting it so it’s important to me to look great and have a suit that fits great!

Figleaves has a fantastic selection of stylish and classic looking styles that are really figure flattering, from one pieces to bikinis to tankinis.

I really loved several styles from Figleaves but ultimately decided on the Sophina one-piece. I love black bathing suits and the design of the Sophina is very slimming. I can’t wait to wear it to the pool this weekend!

I also loved this style one-piece.

What style bathing suit do you prefer? I love any style that looks, and fits, great!

Great news. If you’re looking for the perfect swimsuit this season, Figleaves is having a great sale. Use code LOVE2014 at checkout to save 10% off all full-priced items between and June 15.

Mother’s Day will be here soon! I don’t know about you, but as a busy mom I could always use time to myself…it’s truly a gift!

I’ve collaborated with Bella, maker of fun and practical housewares, to help spread the word about their Turn It On Mother’s Day Sweepstakes on Pinterest in celebration of Mother’s Day this year.

Entering is as easy as pinning your favorite “dream day” activity you’d love to share with the special mom in your life. Maybe it’s a day at a spa, hiking in the woods, or a cooking class…whatever experiential activity you’d love to do, pin it for an entry!

It took me all of about 5 seconds to choose a relaxing spa day experience and pin it. It’s been way too long since I had a pampering spa treatment and I know my sweet mom could use one, too! (And not just a spa treatment, but a spa DAY.) I’d love a relaxing massage, a facial and a mani/pedi. A comfy day in a robe without any deadlines or errands to run for anyone sounds delightful.

Bella Housewares has three amazing prizes in their Turn It On Sweepstakes:

I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Kohl’s. I received a gift card as a thank you for participating.

It’s finally spring here in Nashville! Our daffodils have bloomed and although it’s still chilly I am excited about bringing out the spring trends. If you follow my blog, you know I love fashion, and I love deals. Kohl’s Spring Fashion Hangout has great tips on trends this spring. Shades of pink are all the rage and I can’t wait to add it through fun accessories like shoes or a fun statement necklace, like this bib necklace which also happens to be on sale!